Abstract
Students of today suffering from psychosomatic complaints (e.g. drowsiness and dullness) have problems in their basic lifestyle habits. The aim of our study was to clarify the physiological sources underlying their psychosomatic complaints. We examined 14 healthy students ( 4 men, 10 women ) of 21-22 years old. To evaluate the level of psychosomatic symptoms, we developed a self-assessment Psychosomatic Complaints Questionnaire for this study consisting of two categories: 5 items on physical symptoms and 5 items on mental symptoms. Subjects estimated their psychosomatic conditions twice a day (08.00 h and 20.00 h). As cortisol and melatonin have well-documented circadian pattern, in this study we assessed these circadian secretion pattern by FEIA (Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay). Salivary samples were taken from each subjects four times a day (08.00 h, 12.00 h, 20.00 h and 24.00 h) in Salivette tubes at home. The samples were centrifuged and frozen at -20 degrees until analysed. Physiological variables were assessed by means of a standardized score. Our results showed that the self-assessment scores were related to level of cortisol and melatonin concentration, though in the limited number subjects. Subjects of low self-assessment score in the morning tended to display low peak in cortisol and melatonin concentration. These results suggest that the psychosomatic symptoms might be associated with the physiological hormone rhythm related to their basic lifestyle habits. [J Physiol Sci. 2007;57 Suppl:S136]
